Thrice as nice: Borda honored for third straight week

10/25/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football

Bethlehem, PA - Lehigh junior quarterback Mark Borda was named the Patriot League’s Offensive Player of the Week for the third week in a row after his performance in Saturday’s blowout win over Bucknell.  Borda’s five touchdowns were one short of a Lehigh record while his 385 passing yards re-established his career high for the third straight week and were the most by a Lehigh quarterback since Phil Stambaugh had 410 in a 1999 win over Delaware.

 

During his three-week reign atop the Patriot League, Borda has thrown for 964 yards, 10 touchdowns and just one interception while completing nearly 75% of his passes in three Mountain Hawk victories.

 

On Saturday, Lehigh jumped out to a 13-0 lead on two long Borda touchdown passes; a 36-yard toss down the sideline to senior Adam Kovacs and a 23-yard strike to junior fullback Greg Fay.  Just before halftime, Borda connected with Kovacs again, this time on a 29-yard post pattern to make the score 20-3 as Borda was 18-21 for 268 yards at intermission.

 

But Borda wasn’t done.  He found junior Gerran Walker for a 72-yard touchdown on a fly pattern with 5:20 left in the third quarter. After a Bucknell fumble early in the fourth, Borda hit All-American tight end Adam Bergen with a 1-yard pass for Lehigh’s fifth touchdown.

 

Last week, Borda led Lehigh to a comeback win at Yale and scored the game-winning touchdown on a five-yard scamper.  He established new career highs in completions (24) passing yards (291) and rushing yards (45).  The touchdown run was the first of his career.

 

On the season, the first-year starter has completed nearly 65% of his passes (128 completions in 197 attempts).  He has thrown for 1,762 yards and 17 touchdowns, with only five interceptions.
 

Lehigh’s dominant effort impressed the pollsters.  In the latest Sports Network poll, Lehigh jumped from No. 16 to No. 12, and in the ESPN/USA Today survey, Lehigh moved from No. 16 to No. 13 nationally.

 

Lehigh (6-1 overall, 2-0 Patriot) returns to the gridiron on Saturday, when the Mountain Hawks host No. 18/19 Colgate.  Kick-off is set for just after 1:00 from Goodman Stadium.

 

Sports Network Top 25

Team

1. Southern Illinois

2. Georgia Southern

3. Delaware

4. Montana

5. Cal Poly

6. Furman

7. Western Kentucky

8. Sam Houston State

9. James Madison

10. New Hampshire

11. Wofford

12. Lehigh

13. Stephen F. Austin

14. Hampton

15. Northwestern State

16. William & Mary

17. Appalachian State

18. Colgate

19. Maine

20. Jacksonville State

21. Harvard

22. Penn

23. Villanova

24. Montana State

25. Eastern Washington


ESPN/USA Today Top 25

Team

1. Southern Illinois

2. Georgia Southern

3. Delaware

4. Montana

5. Cal Poly

6. Furman

7. Sam Houston State

8. Western Kentucky

9. James Madison

10. New Hampshire

11. Wofford

12. Stephen F. Austin

13. Lehigh

14. Hampton

15. William & Mary

16. Northwestern State

17. Appalachian State

18. Maine

19. Colgate

20. Harvard

21. Jacksonville State

22. Penn

23. Montana State

24. Villanova

25. Eastern Washington

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